Combined cigarette or like case and electric torch



S. A. APPELL.

COMBINED CIGARETTE 0R LIKE CASE AND ELECTRIC TORCH.

I APPLICATION FILED FEB. 25. 1920.

1,397,610. Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

UNITED STATES PATENT- orifice.)

SAMUEL A APPELL, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

comsmnn creannr'rn on LIKE CASE Aim nnnormc 'roncn;

, Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

Application filed February 25, 1920.;seria1 No. 361,146.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that SAMUEL A. APPELL, a

citizen of. the United States, and residenttric Torch, of which thefollowing is a specification. v I

The present invention relates to cigar, clgarette and like pocket cases,and the chief object of the invention, among other things, 1s to combinewith the case, an electric flashlight or torch, in such a manner thatthe bulk or weight of the combined article, will not be materiallyincreased, nor willthe carrying capacity of the case, be materiallylessened. r i

According to this invention, instead of employing one large batterycell, which will give the required current to illuminate a servlceablelamp, but which cell would un-' duly increase the size of the combinedarticle, a pair of smaller battery cells are em- 'ployed, and thesecells are contained one 1n each section of the case, together with thelamp, switch, contactors and connections, one of the latter being brokenwhen the sections of the case arein the open position.

a The invention will be more fully described hereinafter. with referenceto the accom panying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is an elevationrepresenting the case as closed, but showing in dotted lines,

the parts contained therein;

Fig. 2 is an elevation representing the case as having the two sectionsthereof in an open position, and,

Fig. 3 illustrates a modified construction ofuthe connection between thetwo battery ce s.

In the said drawing, the case is composed of the two sectionsl and 2,hinged together and having spring clasp 3 engaging catch 4 thus, holdingthe two sections together yzhen'in'their closed position. An electric amfixed within the section 2 and a suitable guard and reflector for thelamp is also secured to said" bracket. Battery cells 3 and 9 arerespectively contained in sections 1 and '2 and said cells are firmlyheld in lace by spring clips 10 secured on the insi e of said sections.The connection 11, between '5 is held by a bracket 6 which is the lampbase 12 and one terminal of battery 9 is permanent, whereas theconnection 13, between the other terminal of battei'y 9 and one terminalof battery 8, is broken when the two sections of the case are open. But,when said sections are closed, contact 141-, under spring tension, isbrought intocontact with terminal 15 of battery cell 9; said contactlbeing inclined on one edge 7 so as to readily pass onto andengage'terminal 15. The connection 13, it will be noted, is permanentlyconnected to terminal 16 of battery cell 8.

When the caseis closed, the two battery cells are properly connectedtogether, and then, by operation of the sliding switch 18, throughmanipulation of external button 19, movable contact 20-is brought intocontact with terminal 21 of battery 8, thus completing the electriccircuit which efi'ects illumination of the lamp 5. I

The cigarettes or other contents of the case, are kept together bysuitable means, such as an elastic band 21, so as to keep the soaces 22and 23 clear, for said spaces must receive respectively the. batterycells 8 and 9, when the case is closed..

The connection 13 is comparatively long and must therefore be supportedso that it cannot come into contact with thewall of the case, to cause ashort circuit. tactor 14, with theconnection 13, is mainly for theaforesaid reason, held in the groove 24: of the block 25, and whichlatter block is composed of insulating material. and is secured withinthe section 1.

In order to facilitate removal and renewal of the battery cells, and ,topermit cells of a standard pattern to be used, the connection 13, andlikewise the connection 11 if desired, may be provided with a springclip shell 26, fitting over the end of the battery cell. When such adevice is employed, the connection 13 may'with preference, be anchoredto the 1nsulating block by means of screw 27 The advantages and utilityof the invention hereinbefore described are apparent in thatwithout'materially increasing the size and Weight of a cigarette case,as illustrated, and without materially decreasing the carrying capacitythereof, two serviceable pocket The conthe space occupied in the pocket,

as compared with the two articles separate from each other.

vI claim y 1. A combined cigarette or like case and electric torchhaving a pair of hinged sections; a battery cell secured in each sectionon opposite sides thereof, when in a closed position; an electric lampsecured in one section; a fixed connection between said lamp and thecell secured in the same section; another connection between saidbattery cells, which latter connection is made and broken respectivelywhen said sections are in the closed and open positions; and a switchfor making and breaking an electric circuit from said battery cells tosaid lamp.

2. A cigarette or like case as. described having sections capable ofbeing opened and closed, an electric battery unit contained in eachsection and located therein in positions relatively to-each other so asto leave a clear space therebetween when the case closed.

means for establishing an electric circuit between said battery units, alamp in said circuit and a switch for'opening and closing the circuit tosaid lamp.

-3. A cigarette or like case as described having sections capable ofbeing opened and closed, an electric battery unit contained in eachsection and located therein in positions relatively to each-otherso asto leavea clearspace'therehetween when the case is closed, means forestablishing an electric circuit between said battery units and saidmeans comprising a spring holding clip for one battery unit having acontactor which engages the other battery unit when the case is closed,

a lamp in said circuit and a switch for opening and closin the circuitto said lamp.

Signed at New aven, in-the-county of New Haven and State of Connecticut,this 21st'day of February, A. D. 1920.

r SAMUEL A. APPELL.

